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Thursday, April 30, 2009

OK we are home from FLT, and again I took my camera along for the ride but neglected to get it out of my knitting bag. This photo was taken by a friend. I just loved it, such a nice shot of the water. Ahhhhh

So we spent 4 days with friends that, for the most part, we see only three times a year. These are such special times. I feel like Families Learning Together has really brought me closer to homeschoolers from around the state. And you know we rarely talk about homeschooling. It is more like a family you would choose to have. We have such similar beliefs about education and parenting that there is no need to really talk about those. Like preaching to the choir, so to speak. So we are free to talk about other passions in our life, our children, or hobbies, our work. That makes this weekend a jewel to me. I treasure the time I spend with these friends, and look forward to seeing them again at the next gathering.

This weekend just recharges my batteries, even though I am usually exhausted at the end, and looking at the pile of laundry.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

The Gathering of Nations Pow Wow is coming up this weekend. We will not be able to make it this year, but I wanted to mention it in case anyone has a day this weekend free and has never been. It is the most amazing, powerful experience. We planned our vacation a few years ago, around the date of the Pow Wow, so we could spend a whole day there. It is just such a wonderful experience and so hard to describe in words. You really have to experience it.

You can buy tickets at the door, although there is always a line, no matter what time you show up. Here are the details:

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

This was an interesting surprise. About3 years ago my Aunt sent me this "stick" at least that is what I thought it was. My grandmother had crossed over and my Aunt sent me a slip from a plant that used to belong to my mother, and she also sent this "stick". It is a tree she assured me, but that was about it. I figured it couldn't hurt to plant this "tree", but I had very low expectations of anything happening, really, in truth, it looked dead. I didn't see any green on it, and the root was so tiny, in total this "tree" was about 5 inches tall, wrapped in wet paper towels.

Well every year I report back to my aunt about the growth of this tree, surprisingly it rooted and has grown very well. The Tree stands about 20 feet tall now. Every year she asks me if there have been any flowers. "No", but it is growing great. This year it has flowers, beautiful purple, trumpet like flowers. The first year it has flowered. The flowers come out before any leaves show, so it is just purple all over this tree. And the blossoms have lasted for over a week now.

So I wrote all of this to my aunt, how lovely it was, and that I would take a picture for her. She tells me that this is a tree that my grandmother had given her. Actually my grandmother had given one to all of her children and this one, the one she sent me, her tree, was the only one left alive. None of the others survived the Maine climate. She thought before hers was lost as well, she would send it to me, to see if the North Carolina climate was any more hospitable for the poor tree. And it was....is. So this tree is a gift from my grandmother to my aunt to me. And it is beautiful, treasured and full of life and joy. How amazing, and special.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

I have been so busy lately that my blogging has taken a back seat. I really enjoy the blogging, getting my thoughts out there and off my mind. So I really want to take the time to do what I enjoy. That includes so many things these days. I have been meditating at least three times a week, that is a plus for me. Not the every-day-meditation that I had intended, but my goals had to be re evaluated as my life unfolded, and I have settled into a much more easy, self-fulfilling schedule. After all that is my goal, to please myself, and do what makes me happy and brings joy into my life.

One of the things I have been working on is a venture of the Homeschool Alliance of North Carolina, Inc., a getaway. We hope this will be a yearly event. To just get away with other homeschoolers, share what brings us joy with whoever wants to participate, go to outstanding vacation spots and just relax, spend time with family and friends and "make it happen". It is called the School's Out Forever Getaway, because it is geared toward those of us who have left the notion of school behind us and are dancing to our own beat. It will take place at the Stone Mountain Park in Georgia this year, October 8-11. We have negotiated great hotel rates (thus taking up some of my blogging time), as well as other activities and events. I would love for all my friends to join me, it will be such a nice relaxing time, a great hotel, right in the heart of the park. So think about it, plan for it, start saving now and come have FUN!!!

Just a teaser, this place has one of the largest, most interactive ropes courses I have ever seen. The boys and I are soooo looking forward to climbing around.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us.It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."